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joshhall13's review against another edition
3.0
I expected this to be deep or at least significantly thought provoking. It was neither but it was a neat story.
snarf137's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This was not that good. The skeleton of something good was here, no doubt, but I was left wishing it was written by a different author. And this goes beyond what I assume is the Canadian automatic reflex to decry any smacks too much of local life. From the trite spiritualisms and philisophisms, the very aged digs at Ontario politician Mike Harris in nearly every chapter, the bizarre side plot about the abortion clinic bombers, the corniness of it all, the inoffensive but equally bland writing, and the forced ending, this just wasn't really for me.
What redeemed this slightly was that I resonated with the main character's personal and health struggles outside of the main plot: him coming to terms with his own mortality was probably the most interesting and engaging part. Overall, though, this venture into over-intellectualizing the divine felt more like a theological misfire than a revelation.
What redeemed this slightly was that I resonated with the main character's personal and health struggles outside of the main plot: him coming to terms with his own mortality was probably the most interesting and engaging part. Overall, though, this venture into over-intellectualizing the divine felt more like a theological misfire than a revelation.
billymac1962's review against another edition
3.0
Robert Sawyer is becoming the next big thing in Science Fiction, and from what I have gathered from his TV interviews it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Calculating God reminds me so much of Arthur C. Clarke's novels, where we examine our place in the universe and what the heck it all means. This novel hits the ground running. An alien lands in front of a Toronto museum and asks to meet with the lead paleontologist to discuss their findings of extinctions that happened on two other worlds besides earth, all occurring at the same time.
It's a fascinating concept, although the discussions that follow of evolution and the like tend to dry up considerably for the reading layman. But these are easily endured, and the story does move along fine
with emphasis on (as is the case with all of Sawyer's books) the people involved.
My only personal beef with the story was his frequent slamming of Mike Harris, the former Ontario premier. Sorry Rob, but I'm a big fan of Mike's. Anyhow this is a good, quick read, and recommended.
Calculating God reminds me so much of Arthur C. Clarke's novels, where we examine our place in the universe and what the heck it all means. This novel hits the ground running. An alien lands in front of a Toronto museum and asks to meet with the lead paleontologist to discuss their findings of extinctions that happened on two other worlds besides earth, all occurring at the same time.
It's a fascinating concept, although the discussions that follow of evolution and the like tend to dry up considerably for the reading layman. But these are easily endured, and the story does move along fine
with emphasis on (as is the case with all of Sawyer's books) the people involved.
My only personal beef with the story was his frequent slamming of Mike Harris, the former Ontario premier. Sorry Rob, but I'm a big fan of Mike's. Anyhow this is a good, quick read, and recommended.
tomtatom's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was caught off guard by the humor in this book. I didn't expect it but I really needed it at the time; 3 dark books in a row, combined with heavy matters in my own life had left me a little down, though it also made me tear up toward the end, which I also didn't se coming (but should have).
I was reminded a bit of James Blish's "A Case of Conscience," not in the writing style, but in the subject matter; science meets theology.
I was reminded a bit of James Blish's "A Case of Conscience," not in the writing style, but in the subject matter; science meets theology.
foofers1622's review against another edition
4.0
Robert J. Sawyer did his homework for this one. A definition sci-fi with a bit of creationism thrown it. A good book that makes you really think about the bigger picture.
rewarner's review against another edition
5.0
I tore this book as I haven't with any books in a while. I generally have a distaste for books that are long conversations or monologues; they are usually trying to make a philosophical point that they could sum up in 1/25 the text by making clear arguments. I make an exception for this book. There is a lot of conversation, a lot of exposition, but it just works. I was hooked the moment I heard the premise: an alien comes to Earth and wants to meet with a Paleontologist. From there on it is a clever race to ever stranger notions.
baxspookwave's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I think that the problem with this book lies in the number of explanation the author adds to make the argument of the alien solid.
All the things the alien says are not really proofs, they are things we already know are used as reasons to think that the universe was designed in certain ways, but they are not proofs; in some ways the protagonist is conscious of that, but for the most part he’s just very easily convinced (even tho he says, multiple times, how much of an atheist he is).
The sub-plot of the creationist was basically useless.
The writing is a bit too dry, a bit too cliche; everything seems “already seen”.
This is a disappointment since, when i read Flashforward, the ideas were much more detailed and less in your face
The finale is, in my opinion, the worst offender: the author wanted to describe everything, even though the best idea was (maybe) to leave room for the reader; with that I mean that the descriptions of the “god” get in the way of the supposedly eldritch creature they should be.
All the things the alien says are not really proofs, they are things we already know are used as reasons to think that the universe was designed in certain ways, but they are not proofs; in some ways the protagonist is conscious of that, but for the most part he’s just very easily convinced (even tho he says, multiple times, how much of an atheist he is).
The sub-plot of the creationist was basically useless.
The writing is a bit too dry, a bit too cliche; everything seems “already seen”.
This is a disappointment since, when i read Flashforward, the ideas were much more detailed and less in your face
The finale is, in my opinion, the worst offender: the author wanted to describe everything, even though the best idea was (maybe) to leave room for the reader; with that I mean that the descriptions of the “god” get in the way of the supposedly eldritch creature they should be.
marypetersonbennett's review against another edition
loved it. It was my first Robert J. Sawyer and I just keep going. I'm a fan :>)
bradparks's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyable - feels like Robert Sawyers take on Contact. Glad I read it, and was eye opening. Very interesting.